This Day in History: November 25

The British and Hessian forces were ordered to withdraw from New York on November 25, 1783. As the retreating armies relinquished control of northern Manhattan, the American army advanced toward the city at a respectable distance behind the Royalist army (about an hour apart). General Washington along with General George Clinton (who served as Governor of the State of New York from 1777 to 1795) marched to Manhattan through what is now Washington Heights and Inwood. While in the area, Washington and Clinton stopped at the Blue Bell Tavern, which was located at what is now 181st Street and Broadway. Both men were on their horses with the army passing in review as they marched southward to McGown’s Pass and lower Manhattan.